Recent Arts News in Westchester

Youth Theatre Interactions Appoints New Executive Director

Youth Theatre Interactions, Inc. (YTI) recently announced the appointment of Ricardo Lima as its Executive Director. Lima aims to strengthen the organization’s growth, “boosting it to the next phase of its service.” He recently worked with Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), where he was a language arts and social studies teacher. Along with his Master’s Degree in Educational Theatre from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Lima also has an in-depth knowledge of YTI, after having been one of its students, teachers and, most recently, board members. YTI provides professional-level arts training at affordable rates to youth aged 6 to 19.

Two Local Arts Organizations Team Up

For the first time, during its 2017-18 season, Westchester Philharmonic (WP)’s concerts will be a part of the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College (PAC)’s official programming. While WP has rented the stage at PAC for its first 34 years, this anniversary season will mark a re-definition of its relationship with the Center, during which the two preeminent arts organizations will co-present its main stage orchestral shows. While both organizations will remain separate independent entities, this arrangement creates a cost- and revenue-sharing model that streamlines their original partnership with new efforts aimed at growing the audience for classical music in Westchester County.

Taconic Opera Celebrates 20 Years By Poking Fun at Its Own Art Form

At the start of its 20th anniversary season, Taconic Opera presents the question: “What better art form is there in which to poke fun at the world of opera than through opera itself?” The company’s General and Artistic Director Dan Montez has answered that question with the creation of his new work, In bocca al lupo, which will open the company’s 2017-18 season on October 21 and 22. This comedic work is a departure from Montez’s previous, more serious, compositions. With a title that loosely translates to “Break a Leg,” the show looks at the ins and outs of what it takes to run an opera company. From auditions and musical coaching to holding a fundraiser and presenting the show, the humorous work gives insight to the chaotic art form and the love that goes into each production. The Italian opera within an English opera will be performed in both languages, with English subtitles above the stage. The premiere of In bocca al lupo will take place at Yorktown Stage. For more info, visit: taconicopera.org.

Hudson Valley Music Club Kicks Off 93rd Season

Hudson Valley Music Club starts off its 93rd season by kicking off its Mostly Monday series on October 10. The concert is an opportunity for club members and other Westchester artists to perform. The program will include Poulenc’s Sonata for Two Clarinets, Schumann’s Romances for Oboe and Piano and more. October 30 marks the first full professional concert of the season, with a performance that features violinist Itamar Zorman and pianist Drew Peterson, who will perform Kreisler’s Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta, Brahms’ Sonata No. 1 in G Major, and Schubert’s Rondo in B minor, D.895. The award-winning Zorman has traveled around the world as both a solo and chamber musician. Peterson began his career by being presented at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall at the age of five and worked his way through Harvard and Juilliard School. Both performances will be held at the Dobb’s Ferry Woman’s Club. For more info, contact: 914-478-0417.

Timely Workshop for Hudson Valley Art Teachers

New York State Art Teachers Association will present a professional development day for art teachers on October 28. Workshops and presentations during the “Art and Empowerment: Finding Voices and Speaking Out” event will explore the notion of art making and social consciousness. Contemporary art-making engages in lively commentary with recent cultural events. As a response, art teachers are increasingly designing curricula that encourage students to engage with social issues as they form their artistic sensibilities. Participants will share strategies for encouraging students to engage in purposeful, meaningful, and socially responsible thinking in the art classroom, and explore related issues. The workshop will take place in ArtsWestchester’s building. To RSVP, see the informational flyer at nysata7.com.


A version of this article first appeared in the October issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews

About Mary Alice Franklin

Mary Alice Franklin is ArtsWestchester’s Communications Manager and Editor of ArtsNews. She has a Bachelors in English and Masters in Publishing, and has been published in Paste Magazine, HuffPost, Art Zealous, Art Times, and more.